E-Commerce Case Study


You are to investigate issues and systems to do with using e-commerce to promote a business.
You will be assessed according to this RUBRIC.

Points to cover

  1. Identify a business already using e-commerce and investigate the what, who, how etc. For example, Amazon.com, what do they sell, how do they do it?
  2. Identify and describe the IT systems needed for e-commerce to be successful and use your case stude company as an example.
  3. Identify and discuss the ethical and social issues to do with e-commerce and online shopping. Explore the advantages and disadvantages.
  4. Describe and evaluate the main problems to do with e-commerce. What are some solutions to these problems?

Assessment

1. Provide a short written report based on a wiki page including:
  • Information about your company including some screen shots of their online facility.
  • Make sure you describe how the goods are made available and how a customer can purchase or interact online.
  • Use diagrams and words to explain the IT systems involved
  • Be creative with finding out about ethical and social issues: interview a local business, interview perople who have purchased online and explore the problems they may have had, contact international companies, explore the user agreement policies available on the websites etc etc
  • Include a comprehensive list of resources, correctly cited
2. Be prepared to deliver a short presentation to the class based on your findings. Make this interesting and informative! Do not just use a PPT, think creatively and use different online or offline tools in order to get your message across!
!!!!!! Scenario: You are employed by another company (similar to the one you have chosen) to look into the viability of introducing eCommerce. In order to convince them you are to present all that you have found out about eCommerce as it relates to your chosen company. Give a broad picture (advantages and disadvantages, issues and concerns) but make sure you do recommend they venture into eCommerce and give some good reasons at the end for doing this.

Student wiki pages


Omar: eBay
Salmaan: Amazon.com
Sabbab: WalMart
Shakila: Dell Computers
Sanjida: Toolfetch.com
Salma: Tesco's
Sourov: BestBuy
Cannelle: Playboy and Pets Online
Atif: Buy.com
Salvi: Dymocks.com